First PH-flagged ship to call in the U.S. for 45 years leaves Manila

The Philippine-flag Iris Paoay.

A general cargo ship flying the flag of the Philippines will be the first Filipino ship to call in the U.S. since the 1970s.

The 15-year-old Iris Paoay left Manila on Friday, Sept. 24 south through the archipelago, before heading across the Pacific this week to Los Angeles. The Iris Paoay is newest entrant onto the booming transpacific trade lane, Splash247.com reported.

The ship is owned by Iris Logistics, a subsidiary of Philippine logistics firm, Royal Cargo, which now controls a fleet of three general cargo vessels.